Spring Valley Artists Showcase Talent, Generosity at Exhibition Benefiting Palisades Village
Palisades Village's Kate Perry, artist Debra Perkins, and Spring Valley resident Nancy Chockley
If you have wondered whether there’s an artistic community in our neighborhoods, the answer is yes! In addition to nearby museums like The Kreeger and the Katzen Art Center, we have neighbors who are accomplished artists who paint for fun or professionally.
Organized by Spring Valley artist John Stiner, 12 local artists came together in early May to show their work at the Yellow Barn in Glen Echo and to help raise funds for Palisades Village, the local nonprofit that helps older adults live independently in their own homes by organizing volunteers to provide transportation, help with chores, tech support and many other services.
Altogether some 50 paintings were on display ranging from watercolor and acrylic, realistic and abstract, large and small, and colorful and subdued. Over 250 visited the show over Mother’s Day Weekend and 75 guests were feted at the reception Saturday evening.
John, a past president of Palisades Village, said he organized the event to strengthen the art community in our neighborhoods and to add a Spring fundraiser to Palisades Village's popular Fall House Tour. He worked with talented artists from the six neighborhoods served by Palisades Village -- Berkley, Kent, Foxhall, Palisades, Spring Valley, and Wesley Heights neighborhoods. He identified artists who have shown in art galleries, exhibited and sold art, or just paint for fun.
Six artists from Spring Valley participated -- along with John were Liliane Comair, Stuart Holliday, Tessa Morrison, Debra Perkins, and Robin Breckenridge Stiner. (See information on each in this issue.) Participating artists from the other Palisades Village neighborhoods included Alexandra Arata, David Cox, Nancy Zabaloieff, Roberto Werebe, Emily Rowland and Dale Johnson. John notes that this first show creates an artistic community among the 12 artists. "I hope we can build on that and include other talented artists in the future," he says. One of his large abstract works, entitled “Music to My Ears,” was purchased by a young husband and father for his music-loving wife as a gift on Mother’s Day.
Palisades Village hosted the event and their board members, staff, and volunteers teamed up to put on a fun and lively occasion. Sales of paintings primarily went to support the work of the Village and several key sponsors donated funds.
Each artist enjoyed the opportunity to show their art, meet fellow artists, participate in a community-building event, and donate their sales to a vital neighborhood organization.
We hope this becomes an annual event!
Sponsors. The Fitzgerald led the way as the Gold Sponsor. General Manager Alphonso Westley represented the soon-to-be-opened senior living complex on MacArthur Boulevard. Alphonso spoke about his enthusiasm for the community and The Fitzgerald’s emphasis on supporting local cultural and artistic endeavors.
Silver Bridges helps seniors navigate options for living environments in the region. Principals Ginger Noce and Kristy Kennedy, who live in the Palisades, spoke to attendees about their expertise and desire to assist our older adults make challenging lifestyle decisions.
William Fastow, a long-time resident of Spring Valley, and a realtor specializing in home sales in our area, also sponsored the event. Will is an art lover and has included local artists’ work in his open houses.